Honorary Graduation at University of Salford MediaCityUK

Director General Mark Thompson and Woman’s Hour presenter Jenni Murray were given honorary doctorates to recognise their contributions to the media industry as well as the growing links between the University and its neighbours at Salford Quays.

The ceremony, which was held in the University’s new MediaCityUK building in front of an invited audience of students, academics and dignitaries, marked the conclusion of a day of celebration featuring the University’s first chancellor, Prince Philip, who officially opened the building in the morning.

Jenni Murray has been presenting the BBC Radio 4 flagship Woman’s Hour since 1987 and is also a well respected newspaper columnist and author. Born in Yorkshire in 1950, she attended university in Hull and currently splits her time between London and Cheshire. She was made an OBE in 1999 for services to radio broadcasting.

Mark Thompson has been the longest serving Director General of the BBC since the 1970s and has been with the corporation for most of his career since joining as a production trainee in 1979. As well as his rise through the BBC ranks, he was also Chief Executive of Channel 4 between 2002 and 2004 and as Director General it was his decision to move five major BBC departments from London to the MediaCityUK site.

As a regular visitor to Salford since the announcement of the BBC’s move to MediaCityUK he has spoken often of the need to combine the important research and teaching functions carried out by the University with the work of industry tenants at the site.

Speaking in 2011 he said: “The University's presence alongside key parts of the BBC means MediaCityUK will be one of the places where the future of the media industry will be shaped.”

Commenting on the award of the degrees, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Martin Hall said: “Today’s events marked a significant milestone for the University. With our first Chancellor, Prince Philip, opening the MediaCityUK campus, and the award of honorary degrees to two of the most influential people in the media industry, we rightly celebrated both our heritage as a university and our exciting future in the creative and digital sectors."

Pictured are (left to right) Mark Thompson, University of Salford Chancellor Irene Khan and Jenni Murray.